Spring Safety Tips
- Be prepared for spring floods.
- Water safety around dams.
- Kids and kites.
- Call before you dig.
- Planting shrubs near a padmount transformer.
- Take care when you plant trees.
- Cottage season.
- Be an expert griller.
- Spring clean your garage.
- Garage sale savvy.
- Discarded refrigerators are a playground hazard.
- Extension cords and air conditioners.
- Look up, stay clear, and stay alive.
- Protect seasonal student workers.
Be prepared for spring floods
Many areas in Manitoba have the potential for serious spring flooding issues. Your home or community may be affected. Please review our emergency flood safety information concerning your energy service.
See tips for avoiding power line hazards in flooded areas.
Dam safety
When near a hydroelectric dam or station, or overflow weir, make sure you:
- Obey all warning signs, fences, booms, buoys and barriers. The areas inside are dangerous, so stay clear.
- Never stand below a dam or anchor a boat there. Operation of the station can result in rapidly changing water levels and flows can take you by surprise swamping your boat or putting you in the grip of an undertow.
- Do not stand or boat next to closed spillway gates (the part of the dam that is movable to allow excessive water to pass the station) as these can be opened at any time.
- There are many dangerous areas above and below hydro generating stations where the water is flowing very fast, currents are unpredictable and the river is deep. The rocks next to these areas are frequently wet and slippery. Falling in these locations could be fatal.
- Stay off hydroelectric dams or station structures unless clearly indicated as a walkway.
- When swimming, fishing or boating in a river that has a dam, be aware of the water level and be alert to increasing river flows or rising water levels.
Kids and kites
Manitoba's wide open spaces are the perfect place for kite flying on a warm spring day. Before you unroll the string, take a look up and be sure there are no overhead power lines in the way. If you spot a line, move to a safe location where you will have plenty of room to watch your kite soar. If your kite accidentally becomes entangled in an overhead power line or pole, do not try to remove it. Call Manitoba Hydro for help. Kite strings can conduct electricity. Contact with an electrical source can result in shock and burns or possibly be fatal. Some strings have a fine wire woven into them that makes them even better conductors. If you are buying new string, pick one without wire inside and encourage your friends to do the same.
Never fly a kite when clouds are dark or lightning flashing. If your string is damp or dirty, it has a better chance of conducting electricity. Remember that electricity travels extremely fast. There's no time to drop the string if your kite touches a power line or is struck by lightning. Model airplanes and metallic balloons have the same potential to conduct electricity and cause serious injuries. If your kite gets caught in a tree that's near a power line, tell an adult to call Manitoba Hydro. Never try to get it down yourself.
Call before you dig
Before you begin a project that involves digging, call us. Hitting buried electrical equipment can result in service interruptions, safety hazards, and death. You may also be responsible for damages.
If you are outside of Winnipeg, call us at 1-888-MBHYDRO (1-888-624-9376); in Winnipeg call 480-1212 to locate natural gas and electric underground lines or cables. Our trained personnel will mark the locations of underground power lines, natural gas lines, and buried installations such as vaults containing transformers or electrical switchgear.
Call other utilities to find out if they have underground services in your area.
Planting shrubs near a padmount transformer
Many homeowners have padmount transformers located on their property. It is possible to attractively landscape around the transformer with ornamental shrubs but it is important to remember not to plant shrubs on the padlock side of padmount transformers. This side must be kept open for maintenance work to be done on the padmount.
Keep in mind that a padmount transformer indicates buried lines in the area, so be sure to call before you dig.
Take care when you plant trees
Before selecting trees for your landscaping project, look up, look way up. Will the trees you plant today become tangled in a power line in the future? A tree that comes into contact with a power line can be energized, creating a hazard for people at ground level. To prevent these hazards, property owners are encouraged to plant trees that will not cause a problem down the road. For your project, consider low-growing shrubs that attract attention to your yard and away from overhead lines. Once you select the appropriate trees, call before planting to ensure there are no underground lines in the area.
Cottage season
On your first trip to the cottage, check appliance cords and connections for signs of damage from four legged winter visitors. If you make your way up onto the roof to inspect shingles or the antenna take care to be aware and use caution around power lines. If installing a new flagpole or antenna be sure it is positioned so it can't fall across any power lines.
Be an expert griller
Whether you use a propane or natural gas barbecue, keep safety in mind. Before starting the unit, check all the connections to make sure they are tight. Then, check for leaks by applying a mixture of soap and water to the hoses and gas cylinder head — growing bubbles indicate a leak. And before lighting the grill, remember to open the lid so gas can't build up underneath it. Never hold a match or cigarette lighter over the grill: the quick ignition is sure to cause serious burns. Never barbecue in an enclosed space and keep children away from a hot grill.
Spring clean your garage
Spring is a great time to organize the power tools in the garage. Inspect tools for wear, loose connections or defects. Just be sure to pull the plug before removing, adjusting or cleaning the blades. Extensions cords that are worn should be discarded or repaired as worn cords are a hazard especially in damp areas outdoors.
Garage sale savvy
Garage sale bargains could be dangerous. Use caution when purchasing used electrical appliances and heating and cooling equipment.
Discarded refrigerators are a playground hazard
If an old refrigerator needs to be hauled away, remove the doors and leave the inside shelves intact to prevent a child from being trapped inside and suffocating. Then move it off your property as soon as possible. A refrigerator, with the door attached, that sits for even one day can become a dangerous attraction for youngsters.
Extension cords and air conditioners
The inappropriate use of extension cords is a major cause of home fires. Before setting up your air conditioner for another season, have a qualified electrician install a new outlet if necessary. Remember that extension cords are temporary fixes — it is dangerous to use them as a permanent substitute for inadequate house wiring.
Watch the SMART*ideas video on Electrical Safety.
Look up, stay clear, and stay alive
Remember safety in the busy spring construction and farming season. Watch for overhead lines on the job.
Protect seasonal student workers
Point out hazards in the workplace to young workers who may be on their first job site. They may not notice the overhead line that presents a hazard when moving a ladder in the work area. Take time to ensure new employees are safe!
